We are heading into Nice in early Oct. for two weeks. First part of plan is to spend 4 nights recovering in Nice, checking the town out and taking a couple of day train journeys east and west along the Riviera. From here we would venture further into Provence. I'd like to see Moustiere St. Marie and Orange. We'd like to have two bases for the next 8 nights that would allow us best look at what Provence has to offer. Input greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1882 posts
Check out Avignon as a base. I assume you have no car and are relying on train travel.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
We will have a car.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Hello Steve,
This is an audacious plan. I think the answer probably depends on what else you may want to do besides visit these two towns.
If your interest in the Verdon Gorge region can be satisfied by a day trip, then you might base yourself in the Luberon for a few days. Otherwise I sadly have no experience on which to base a recommendation for the park itself.
For the Rhone Valley, assuming you are interested in the Roman antiquities, I would search for a small town or city in that area, probably not north of Avignon. I would rule out Avignon itself, and while the Theater in Orange is very much worth your time, I could not possibly recommend spending the night in that city.
St Remy, though a bit of a cliche here, is a good option, but there are other towns as well.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1882 posts
Since you have a car your options are much more open. I think you need to decide where you want to visit and plan a base accordingly. Provence covers a pretty good size area.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
I'd look at a map and mark all the places I wanted to see, then find somewhere central - you could stay somewhere to the east then west...or north and south.
Last year, we went to see the lavender, so we stayed in Manosque for 3 nights for easy access to the lavender trail to the east (Sault, Valensole). Before that we stayed in Salon to do the places more to the north and west (Les Baux, Nimes, Arles, etc). I will say - Manosque didn't have a lot going for it other than a good place to base. I mostly picked it because that's where I found an airbnb in my price range. Salon isn't mentioned much, tho we did enjoy walking around the town...and we stayed there before in 2015 and enjoyed our airbnb hostess, so we returned to stay with her again. IF I hadn't wanted to revisit with our airbnb host, I prob would have picked Aix or maybe Arles.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1174 posts
We used a map to pinpoint all of the villages we wanted to visit using the site les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org.
We found Les Carmes, a charming villa run by Paschal which was a delight ! It was actually in Le Thor, a mile from Isle sur la Sorgue where we got gas.
From here we kayaked through the Pont du Gard, visited Gordes, Menerbes, and Lourmarin, and drove up the Cotes du Rhone to Vaison.
Posted by
santa cruz, California, USA
135 posts
because you have an auto, you should definitely stay 4 nites in the luberon. the hill towns are charming and interesting, great restaurants, some national parks for hiking, great markets most mornings. stay in or near gordes, rent bikes in coustellet and bike the dedicated bike trail , it's all good. nick barthel
Posted by
613 posts
You are smart to rent car, but for that, an old Michelin Green Guide to Provence is essential. Look on eBay.
Some of the best Roman ruins in the world are in Provence-- Nimes, Orange, Arles, base of Mt Venteaux.
Provence isn't worth 2 weeks. Consider side trips to Argues Mortes & Carcasonne & the Maratine Alps.
Train along the Cote d'Azure: Nice-- 3rd rate sight, Cannes, Monaco, and Menton-- 2n rate, Bills France sur Mer 2st rate.
Car along the Cote d'Azure: Moyen coniche &, top of the cliff road, 'Grand Canyon of France', & the essential Eze Village.
Don't miss Les Beaux. Splurge: stay & eat at Les Bauexmanerie